Historic Work - Disappearing Handyman

Cotta

He can't find the invoices but bill is as it stands.

LilElvis

Cotta wrote: »

He can't find the invoices but bill is as it stands.

Then he won't have much of a hope of substantiating his case in a court. No itemised invoice and no proof of the cost of the materials he's charging you for.

Cotta

Looking through his itemised bill the materials are only £135 which I would be happy to pay, it's the inflated labour charges and the inaccuracies about the time he has been onsite where the issues are and he feels this is his trump card.

pinkshoes

Ok, so my local handyman charges £115/day. You need to work out a typical rate for his skillset.

That is for an 8 hour day, and your handyman only worked 4 hour days.

I would therefore pay him (50% x £115 x 5) + £135 materials.

So £422.50. (Or based on daily local rate).

Cotta

pinkshoes wrote: »

Ok, so my local handyman charges £115/day. You need to work out a typical rate for his skillset.

That is for an 8 hour day, and your handyman only worked 4 hour days.

I would therefore pay him (50% x £115 x 5) + £135 materials.

So £422.50. (Or based on daily local rate).

That's reasonably in line with my thought process. One issue is that he has recorded his hours as being onsite for full days - 9-5, "however this is disputed by my actual knowledge, my housemate's report and some Cctv.

For example his first day was on 4th December 2016, he didn't return until the 13th and did not advise me he was going to appear that day. When he got to my house at 11:00 he text to advise he could not get in and that he forgot to tell me in advance he was coming. So he came to my place of work at 11:30 to get my key (captured on Cctv) and didn't return to my house until 12:00. My housemate then confirmed he left just after 15:00 that day.

scd3scd4

Just pay him as above. With explanation. I have never heard you pay for travelling time unless it was clearly explained ............if he wants more then say you are happy to go to court. Call he's bluff.


A CC will look favourably on you offer.

unholyangel

I would remind him that he failed to comply with the consumer contract regulations (as it sounds like he undoubtedly has breached them) and that it will be for him to prove he did comply rather than for you to prove he didn't.

Under the CCRs, he should have given you certain information in a durable medium before you were bound by the contract. Part of that information is the total cost of the goods/services. If the total cost can't be calculated in advance then they need to tell you how it will be calculated (ie £15 per hour + £135 materials).

I'd also be adding a note that making misleading claims in a bid to intimidate you could amount to a breach CPRs (consumer protection from unfair trading regulations) - which is a criminal offence.

Some companies of ill repute used to make similar claims in letters they sent to debtors (that it would wreck their credit history), but they don't do it any longer due to the above.

ETA: Also, if you are sending a cheque, make sure you write a letter along with it stating the cheque is in full & final settlement and if they do not accept it in full & final settlement, the cheque should be returned uncashed.

macman

He cannot charge you for travelling time unless it was agreed before the job started. Since he's working for an absurdly low rate, he is not a tradesman, he's a cowboy, who is unlikely to be declaring the income. The idea that he is going to be able to put a winnable claim together is risible.
Bear in mind that you have effectively had over 12m interest free credit from him. I'd do your own calculation and offer that ifnfull settlement.
Next time, get a quote for this sort of work, and don't ever agree to pay by the hour.

Cotta

It was a verbal agreement of £50 per day but as he has said I've no proof of this so he's effectively started to charge by the hour and for a mass of time he's not been on-site and for the five days he's worked it's at a rate of just over £200 per day. He did some minor work in the past for a rate of £50 per day.

custardy

Pay him £4-£500 and if he wants to play the game.
Take it to court